When CRS Software Ltd, recently released an 'online' version of their farm accounting program Cashmanager RURAL, interest from clients quickly followed. Wairarapa dairy farmer Vern Brasell, was one of the first wanting to know more about CMR online. Having used Cashmanager RURAL for nearly twenty years, he had always been a strong supporter of the program. With expansion to his business, and additional shareholders CMR online held particular appeal. Speaking with Vern at his property, Kaiwaiwai Dairies near Featherston, he explained his reasons for using Cashmanager RURALand his change to CMR online when it became available. "We now have two farms, Macland and Kaiwaiwai, and seven shareholders," Vern said. The combined size of both properties is approximately 1242 hectares, milking a total of 2,000 cows. In addition we lease a number of properties that support each other. Staff numbers vary between 14-16 people, some of these are part time or casual. "I've used Cashmanager RURAL for years because it was designed by a farmer for farmers and it is an excellent program." "As the business has grown however, the ability to do the accounts online has become essential. You can't have two people working on a program and do backups, it just does'nt work," Vern said. CMR online offers everything Cashmanager RURAL offers, plus an important addition, data is Centralised and can be accessed from anywhere, which makes a team approach to farm management fully achievable. He likes the advantages of having 'one true copy' that can be worked on by one person at a time, "you don't even have to be in the same place" Vern said. Jo Harrison, one of the shareholders, is also the person responsible for all bill payments. "I can do all of it from home, I don't need to come into the office, I can access everything there," Jo said. Another thing Vern likes about the program is "you actually have got calculations behind the numbers, it's not just 'put a number in a box', and then how did I work that out situation." "When you have the number of boxes we are filling in now, it does not mean anything unless you have something to relate it to." CMR online was designed with equity partnerships and larger farms in mind. Data can be shared by several people, each operating from their place, anywhere in NZ or (the world). Users log in, access rights control what they can see or alter. One person, (usually the farm owner) has control over who can see or alter data. They are the administrator. Data can be entered from a central location, each farm manager can be involved with year to date revision and forecasting. Equity partners/directors can receive regular summary reports and research details as they require. At end of year there is no need to send a copy to your accountant. They are given rights to login and view the data. "The program gives us the ability to print our reports enabling us to track where we are going, all important for budgeting." "This last year with so much development going on, the variance report was good. You just keep updating, it's a live thing not something you do at the start of the year and then put in the cupboard." Vern said. Over the years Vern, and other clients have been invited to 'Focus Meetings', where ideas, thoughts and suggestions were made and listened to. This is something that he feels has been a great success, "I have always felt the company listened to ideas, I often found after mentioning something that I would like to see happen or develop, it did." "The program has developed as the farm has, I said some time ago I would like the program online, well now it is." "I have always recommended the program and will continue to do so, it is a 'farm tool' and a very important one." For further information about CMR online visit: www.CRSsoftware.co.nz Or Freephone: 0800 888 707